Bookmark a great travel agency by one of our Southernmama’s regulars. SouthernMama Jennie Tarver can get you great deals on everything from just a simple hotel room to an unforgettable destination wedding in Cancun @ My Easy Travel Planner.

Even if you’re just taking a quick weekend trip up to Atlanta, check out Jennie’s Web site and you’ll save money vs. booking directly with the hotel itself, guaranteed.

Services include: flights, hotels, all-inclusive resorts, cruises, honeymoons, hunting/outdoor vacations, car rentals.

Does your hubby like to golf? Take a sneak peek at some vacation ideas to surprise him with by clicking here. Send him off for a weekend with his friends, or plan a special all-inclusive golf package for the two of you.

Click here to search for all-inclusive vacations! Booking this time of year will save you bunches.

Want a romantic getaway close to home? Jennie also works with chartered yachts, many of which are in Charelston. Experience a weekend getaway like no other.

How to Book Travel: Go directly to the Web site and book. Or for planned vacations, let Jennie take care of your travel requests at no additional charge. Now you have an agent at your fingertips that is complimentary. Contact Jennie by email at jennie@myeasytravelplanner.com or call 912.272.9965.

Book travel by clicking here.

 Kindermusik heard you and responded!

Several classes have been added to the Spring ’09 semester in response to requests from parents.  Visit the local Web site called Instrumentalinks.com for detailed information and online enrollment. Classes begin Jan. 26. All class sizes are limited, so sign up soon.

The Monday “Family Time” class has been changed to a “Sign and Sing” class. Family Time class was moved to 2:20 pm Mondays to accommodate those of you with preschool aged children in school until noon. So bring all the children for a one-room schoolhouse approach to musical learning. This class will meet at Franklin Creek at the Landings. Non-Landings residents wishing to take this class should call 912.728.KEYS (5397).

The “Sign and Sing” class moved to 11:10 am Monday @ the Southside Savannah location. This sign language/music course is for hearing children, ages 6 to 36 months. Learn over 150 signs during our 10 weeks together, plus take home Kindermusik at-home materials for your child to keep.

Also added is an “Imagine That!” class for 3-5 year olds at 1:30 pm Mondays. This class is for students and teachers alone for the first 20-25 minutes, then parents (and younger/older siblings) join in for the last 15-20 minutes. This class will also meet at Franklin Creek – again, non-Landings residents call 912.728.KEYS (5397) for info on taking this class.

Another Village class (ages newborns to 20 months) is being offered 12:40 pm Mondays. This is in direct response for those of you with young ones who couldn’t seem to get to our morning classes due to morning nap conflicts.

Richmond Hill classes will also be offered on Wednesday mornings.

Browse the local Kindermusik Web site and register for the Spring’09 session. Be sure to tell them SouthernMamas sent you! For more info, click here or call 912.728.KEYS (5397)

Kindermusik is a sponsor of SouthernMamas.

Did you have December baby or know someone who did?

Then check this out: If you’re lucky enough to have a last-minute baby, born in the month of December, enter America’s Cutest Last-Minute Tax Deduction contest.

Your baby could win a $5,000 savings bond.

To enter, simply upload a picture of your new arrival to Cutest Tax Deduction by January 9.

You can vote on the site, owned and operated by TurboTax, for who they think is the cutest last-minute addition.

Thanks to savvy SouthernMama Brooke Deen for telling us this good news:

A new inflatable play center, Bouncing Angels, will replace the old Jumping Bean!!

Bouncing Angels, an indoor inflatable play & party entertainment center, is set to open Jan. 3 in the Jumping Bean’s former location @ the Victory Drive Shopping Center, 2123 E. Victory Drive near Skidaway Road. For more info. call: 912.691.8797.

In addition to regular, open play, the center will be available for birthdays, field trips, mommy clubs,  group events etc.

We know how much SouthernMamas readers loved the Jumping Bean and were upset to learn about its recent closing.
Bouncing Angels will be adding food and more inflatables that will reach an additional age range that the Jumping Bean did not, emails Brooke, who saw the new sign up and stopped to talk to the new owner.

Bouncing Angels plans to reach 2 to 12-year-olds. Check out their Web site here.

As all you moms know, we lack kid-centric play places like this in our area. It seems as though we’re often telling y’all about the demise of kids’ activities such as canceling Toddler Tuesdays at Oatland Island Wildlife Center.  So let’s make sure we make every effort to support this business to they can make it in this dire economy.

Teri Beard wins the Brian pair!

April Powell wins the Paul pair!

Amy Macatee wins the pink Julie boots!

Thanks to everyone who participated. For those who didn’t win, you can shop for your favorite pair @ See Kai Run.

Look for another giveaway to be announced here Monday.

Still no New Year’s Eve plans?
Here’s a way to celebrate with your kids nearby and help a good cause at the same time: the Hats Off to 2009 fest to benefit The Sandbox: An Interactive Children’s Museum

Ring in the New Year with Hats Off to 2009 … the Magic of a New Year from 7:30 pm – 1:00 am on December 31 2008, benefiting The Sandbox: An Interactive Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Island.

The Sandbox’s fourth annual event will be 7:30 pm -1 am Dec. 31 @ Sea Pines’ Harbour Town Club on Hilton Head Island and will feature a live band, Heart to Heart, from Atlanta; a silent auction; entertainment by Ross & Holly Brown; open bar; Chef Ramey’s three-course dinner; champagne toast; balloon drop at midnight; plus some surprises.

Tickets: $125 per person (inclusive). Seating is limited so reserve your table of ten before it’s sold out. Call The Sandbox at 843.842.7645 or stop by The Sandbox @ 18-A Pope Avenue, behind St. Andrew by the Sea UMC on the south end of Hilton Head Island.

A separate, on-site Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party is also available for children ages 4 -12 from 7:30 pm until 12:30 am. Cost: $25 per child and includes dinner along with their very own New Year’s Eve celebration. Parents must attend the Hats Off to 2009 for their children to participate. Space is limited. Reserve now by calling The Sandbox.

The Inn at Harbour Town, located next door, will offer special room rates and Sea Pines Resort will also offer special golf packages for the New Year’s Eve weekend and the event.

You gotta love free kids shoes. Especially when their feet seem to grow a size over night. Thanks to See Kai Run, we’re giving away three pairs of their stylish and comfy shoes! Specifically, you could score the Julie leather boot (size 5, in limited edition pink; shown), the Paul (size 4, in limited edition blue/brown/creame; shown below), or the Brian (size 6 in blue, show below) . Just check out the rules below to enter to win a pair.

If you can’t wait for the giveaway and want to order from See Kai Run now, start shopping by clicking here. From now until Dec. 31, enjoy free shipping on ALL orders! No minimum purchase is required.

If your New Year’s resolution is to finally finish those house renovations and repairs on your to-do list, then we have the repair, renovation and remodeling company to call.

Our new sponsor, Renascent Renovations, has done quality work throughout our area, in Savannah, The Landings, Southbridge, Midtown and more. They do it all – from renovating an entire house to putting the flooring in a little bathroom.

Other jobs they do include painting; fences (wood & chain link); decks; roofing; light plumbing; light electrical; cabinet installation; framing; tile; trim work; gutters; siding (wood, vinyl, concrete); doors & window installation or repair; sheetrock (new & repairs); flooring (laminate, vinyl, wood).

If it’s not listed, they can still probably do it. Because there’s no job too big or too small. All work is guaranteed.
Business partners Steven Tarver and Daniel Weiner are self-confessed perfectionists who make sure the job is done right. They work together and are licensed and insured.

But don’t take our word for it. Check out these photos of some of their work, a trellis and staircase, posted above. Contact them @ steventarver@comcast.net or renascentrenovation@gmail.com or 912.272.9523 or 912.604.0640.
Receive a 10 percent winter special discount on all work through January 2009.

And finally check an item or two off your to-do list.

Having trouble breastfeeding?
Find out more about breastfeeding by attending a meeting of La Leche League of Savannah on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm. The next meeting is Jan. 6.
Meetings are now being held @ The Family Health and Birth Center, 1692 Chatham Parkway, Savannah.
La Leche League of Savannah is a breastfeeding support group for new and expectant mothers. La Leche League Leaders of Savannah are also available by phone or email for anyone who needs more information.
Call 912.897.9261 or click here

Erin Spielberger!

Congratulations, Erin. She wins a $50 gift card from our sponsor

Just for Baby & More.

Thanks to everyone who participated. You were all correct, Just for Baby & More carries Twilight Turtle and Twilight Ladybug, night light/educational toys that transform nurseries into a starry night sky to comfort and calm children.

Look for a different giveaway from a different business to be announced here Monday.

Heather Cashwell.
Congratulations! She wins a personalized bow holder and six ribbon clips from

doodleAdesigns, a local, Mom-owned online boutique specializing in custom-made children’s accessories.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this giveaway. Look for another giveaway from a different business to be announced here Monday.

A local children’s activity is expected to go bye-bye next year.

Organizers of Toddler Tuesdays @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center announced today there are no plans to continue their storytime/craft-time/animal-focused program next year. The reason: budget cuts. The wildlife center receives funds from money-strapped Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.

The last Toddler Tuesday program is expected to be Dec. 30, unless there’s a new development financially. Let’s hope something changes for the positive.

Meanwhile, you can support Oatland by becoming a member – or giving a yearly membership as a gift. Cost of joining has been slashed. For example, it now costs $35 for a family of six, compared to the previous price of $60. Click here for membership info and here for rates.

Forget taking the Talmadge Bridge to see the gingerbread village and Christmas trees display @ the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort & Spa on Hutchinson Island.

Plan instead to catch one of the free ferries that shuttle you from River Street, across the Savannah River, to the Westin. My mom, who is in town helping me with the new baby, and I took the kids on the little nautical sojourn today. We caught the ferry shuttle called the Susie King Taylor. My 2-year-old son was wide-eyed the whole way, thrilled that we were actually on the water, seeing real tug boats and huge cargo ships up close.

Catch the Savannah Belles Ferry system on River Street, right in front of City Hall. Or on the Westin side. It’s free. Click here for a schedule. The gingerbread village will be on display in the lobby of the Westin through Dec. 25. It’s free and open to the public.

The ferries operate 7 days a week, 362 days a year. It’s not too difficult to get onboard and off with small children and strollers. Click here for more info. on the ferry system

Just for Baby & More is giving away a $50 gift card to a lucky SouthernMamas subscriber to celebrate the holidays. To be eligible for this week’s giveaway, email your name and the answer to the following question to anne@southernmamas.com.

Our sponsor Just for Baby & More carries Cloud B nursery friends including Twilight Turtle and Twilight Ladybug. The night light/educational toys transform nurseries into a – fill in the blank – that comforts and calms children.

Hint. Visit the Just for Baby & More Web site by clicking here. Click on toys, then on Twilight Turtle or Twilight Ladybug.

Deadline is Thurs. Dec. 18. We’ll pick a name at random and announce the winner Fri. Dec. 19. Don’t forget to tell us your name.

You have to be a SouthernMamas subscriber to participate. Subscribing is free. Click here to do so.

Just for Baby & More is in a new location @ 7701 Waters Ave. – across from their former spot. The store has great gifts including Madame Alexander dolls; miracle blankets that guarantee your baby sleeps or your money back; as well as other Cloud B animal nightlights/toys including Dozy Dolphin, a stuffed animal with soothing sounds for baby, the sounds of dolphins at play and at rest.

Just for Baby & More also offers a gift registry in-store and online for expectant parents.

Don’t forget Wednesdays are Grandparents Day. Grandparents can bring in a picture of their grandchild and receive 15 percent off all gifts and clothing.

doodleAdesigns is giving away a personalized bow holder similar to the one pictured here and six ribbon clips to a SouthernMamas subscriber. The winner will be able to chose from about 20 different ribbons for the clips.

To be eligible to win, email your answer to the following question to anne@southernmamas.com. What’s your favorite item @ the doodleAdesigns online boutique? Click here to visit the site.

We’ll pick a name at random Thurs. Dec. 18 and announce the winner here Fri. Dec. 19. You have to be a SouthernMamas subscriber to participate in the giveaway. Subscribing is free. Click here to do so.

Amy Macatee, owner of doodleAdesigns, is a stay-at-home mom of two little girls who has been making bows for them for years. She also enjoys making gifts for others for Christmas, baby showers and birthdays. Looking for a specific, special request? Amy is happy to create it for you.

A SouthernMamas reader who is new to our area emailed us asking where to take her kids to see neighborhood Christmas lights displays.

We’ve been wondering the same thing- as my 2-year-old is really into decorations this year. We drove through Ardsley Park, which always has lovely lights complimenting the beautiful homes. And, of course, City Market and Broughton Street are all decked out.

But where are the really outlandish yard displays with the colored flashing lights and huge blow-up snow globes?

We plan to check out the Roddenberry home in Windsor Forest on Savannah’s Southside. It’s in the 200 block of Windsor Road. Here’s a link to a Savannah Morning News article about the man behind all those lights.

The Savannah Morning News also highlighted a holiday yard display @ 711 South St.

If you know of a fun place to view decorations, please comment below. Thanks!

Additional yard displays to check out (thanks to our savvy readers)

• 202 Blue Marlin Drive on Whitemarsh Island, Seagate subdivision
• 512 Gordonston Ave.
• a home in The Hamptons, located in Buckhead North (Richmond Hill).
• Stuart St. off of Waters Ave. between Stephenson and Lee St.
  (near the Oakdale subdivision)
• http://www.ccprc.com/index.asp?nid=140

Get ready to shake your tambourine and sing and dance with your child at one of the Kindermusik classes that start next month in Savannah and surrounding areas.

Registration is underway now for this early childhood music program. Registration includes your own Kindermusik CD so you can continue the dancing at home.

Classes don’t start until the week of Jan. 25, but class sizes are very small and not as many are offered this coming semester, so sign up soon.

Attention work-outside-the-home SouthernMamas who have difficulty finding weekend mommy-and-me activities: Saturday Kindermusik sessions will be offered.

Kindermusik classes are available for children ages 0 to 7. Classes are divided by age including the “Hickory Dickory Tickle and Bounce” and “Rhythm of My Day” class for ages 0-20 months; “Fiddle Dee Dee” for ages 18 months to 3.5 years; and “Movin and Groovin” Family Time classes for newborns to 7 year-olds and the whole family.

Kindermusik gift certificates make great gifts, especially for relatives who want to invest the gift of music into your child’s life. If you purchase Kindermusik as a gift, send Kindermusik a separate email after enrolling to let them know and they will make a beautiful certificate printed up with your child’s name on it.

Browse the local Kindermusik Web site and register for the Spring’09 session. Be sure to tell them SouthernMamas sent you! For more info, click here or call 912.728.KEYS (5397)

Kindermusik is a sponsor of SouthernMamas.

Skatefest starts Fri. Dec. 12 @ Savannah Civic Center. The indoor skating rink is open until Jan. 4. Each session is 1.5 hours. Cost: $7 and includes skate rental. 5-session Skatefest pass: $30. Available @ the Civic Center Box office. Non-skating chaperones are FREE. For a session schedule, click here or call the SKATELINE at 912.651.6615 or box office at 912.651.6556/800.351.7469.

Ride a streetcar on River Street. The public is invited to a FREE test ride of Savannah’s fully restored River Street Streetcar.
noon-7 pm Sat, Dec. 13. The streetcar will pick up and drop off passengers at the base of the Barnard and Lincoln ramps. Regular passenger service is set to begin Jan. 1. The 47-foot long streetcar is an authentic, full-restored 1930s-era Melbourne streetcar.

Christmas on the Homefront @ the Mighty Eighth Museum
11 am-4 pm Sat. Dec 13.
Fun and educational hands-on activities about the holiday season during wartime. Activities are FREE. Best for ages 3 – 13.
912.748.8888 ext 106.

Santa Cruise
2 pm Sat. Dec 13 @ River Street Riverboat Company 9 E River St.
Join Santa on board the Savannah River Queen or the Georgia Queen for pictures and a one hour narrated sightseeing tour. Children who bring a new, unwrapped toy will cruise for FREE with a paying adult!! All collected toys will be donated to Greenbrier Children’s Center. Cost: Adults: $17.95, Children w/o a toy to donate: $9.95. Children 3 and under cruise free. Other Santa Cruise date: Sun., Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. For more info, click here or call 800.786.6404.

Tybee Christmas Parade
3 pm Sat. Dec. 13. Begins @ Tybrisa Street and ends @ Memorial Park. Children’s Christmas party immediately following.

Holiday fun @ Roundhouse Railroad Museum, 601 W. Harris St.
10 am- noon Sat. Dec. 13
Hear holiday stories and make ornaments, dreidels or wall hangings. Cost: $5, includes all materials, snacks and museum admission. Reservations required. 912.651.6823 or email bparr@chsgeorgia.org

City Market Christmas for Kids Celebration
11 am-2 pm Sat. Dec. 13 @ City Market, Jefferson and W. St. Julian St.
FREE! Fun-filled activities including cookie decorating, ornament making, musical performances, petting zoo, storytelling, face-painting, photos with Father Christmas.
912.232.4903

Nutcracker @ Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn St.
2 & 8 pm Sat. Dec. 13. Presented by Savannah Danse Theater. Tickets: $20-$25 matinee and $25-$50 evening. 912.525.5050 or @ SCAD Box office window, 216 E. Broughton St. or at the door one hour prior to event.

Twas the Night Before Christmas
2 pm & 5 pm Sat. Dec. 13. A children’s ballet presented by The Children’s Ballet Theatre of the Academy of Dance. Cost: $10-$18
Tickets can be purchased @ 912.525.5050 or @ SCAD Box office window, 216 E. Broughton St. or at the door one hour prior to event.

Winnie-the-Pooh performance @ the Savannah Children’s Theatre.
Showtimes are 7 pm Fri. Dec. 12 and 3 pm Sat. Dec. 13 and Sun. Dec. 14. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased here or at the theatre at 2160 E. Victory Drive in the Crossroad Shopping Center @ Victory and Skidaway. 912.238.9015

Santa on Broughton Street
He’ll be available for photos and listening to children’s wish lists every weekend until Christmas @ 24E Broughton St. Donations benefit the Savannah Downtown Business Association and Make-A-Wish Foundation. 912.660.4718. For parking info, click here.

Gingerbread Village display @ The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort &; Spa’s main lobby, Hutchinson Island. Made by local chefs. Don’t forget to vote for best gingerbread creation. Through Dec. 25. FREE and open to the public. 912.201.2048

Hilton Head Is./Bluffton area

Holiday Lights Trolley Tour
Fri and Sat. Dec. 12 & 13. Take the kids to see the best holiday light displays, with refreshments and snacks. Hosted by the SHARE Center. $15 per person. Pre-registration required. 843.785.6444

Super Saturday Program and Nutcracker Puppet show @ Hilton Head Library
11 am Sat. Dec. 13.
Becky Becker and her box of puppets will perform “The Nutcracker,” a 45-minute program. Best for ages 3 and older. FREE. Seating is limited. Free tickets available starting at 9 am that morning.

Sarah Curry.

Melissa McGrath.

Rebecca Ellington.

Congratulations, ladies! Y’all each win a Mini Rotation tote bag stuffed with six soft, hip onesies, infant and toddler tees, a long-sleeve toddler thermal and one super-soft blanket.

Thanks to everyone who participated. Y’all were all correct. Octopus is the animal on the tee that says “happy arms for hugging.”

For those who didn’t win, but love Mini Rotation’s vintage, hipster tees, start shopping by clicking here.

Look for another giveaway from a different business to be announced here Monday.

Only five nights left to see “The Journey: An Interactive Christmas Story” @ the church that has everything: Savannah Christian Church.

The extremely popular production will be presented for the next five nights @ the church’s main Henderson campus: Wed. Dec. 10, Thurs. Dec. 11, Fri. Dec. 12, Sat. Dec. 13 and Sun. Dec. 14. Registration is 6-8 pm. Groups depart every 5 minutes.

The play allows you to join a tribe going to Bethlehem to register as citizens of the Roman Empire. Encounter the angel Gabriel and the Wise Men. Travel by boat across the Sea of Galilee. Hear prophesy foretold at the temple. See evil King Herod plotting to kill a newborn boy. Enter the gates of Bethlehem. Hear the pounding of the blacksmith hammer, the braying of donkeys, and the shouts of fishmongers selling their catch. Push past the dancers, beggars and merchants all hawking to the crowd that is mobbing the small village.

“Have you heard about the baby that was born tonight?” someone calls. You then follow the shepherds to find the newborn babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Cost: $5 per person, $20 per family. Special group rate: 20 percent off for groups of 10 or more. Hero pass for military personnel, firefighters, or police officers and their immediate family: $5 per family.

For more info, click here or call The Journey Hotline at 912.629.4765.